Immigration policy needs common sense

By Letter to the Editor on August 27, 2018.

The theme of recent CFL games has been “diversity is strength.” Apparently the strength is to be in the multi-ethnicity, the multi-racial and the physical attributes and talents of the teams’ players and staff. Yet in a recent game Edmonton pounded Montreal 40-24. Why such a score if diversity is strength? Evidently Edmonton players have better football skills and together they all make for a stronger team than Montreal. One attribute made Edmonton strong and the other ones apparently are less important.

It appears that the same analysis may be used when “diversity is strength” is about our country. Diversity is an appropriate description of Canadians: Multi-ethnic, multi-racial, and different cultural traditions, physical attributes and talents. Like the football teams, it seems that something more has to be in the glue which has bound us together to have built this country and which continues to bind us as the process of building continues. Well, what’s in this glue?

It is our value system. We are first and foremost Canadians for we live in Canada. We have two official languages, English and French. We believe in some fundamental values: the equality of the people, the rule of law, a list of freedoms (The 1982 Constitution Act), a respect for the individual and a work ethic. We have developed a social safety net, a democratic political system and an economy also based on values.

Our important immigration system has welcomed peoples from nations around the globe. These new Canadians have generally bought into our value system to help us become stronger and a better nation. It is not unreasonable to expect that a haphazard immigration system may result in enclaves of people who will not buy into our values.

Several European nations failed to be vigilant in their immigration for they believed that multiculturalism meant a completely open-door policy. But, some people want no part of a country’s value system. Enclaves have emerged, and serious social problems have developed. These countries have rescinded multiculturalism. They have been accused of racism and a contravention of human rights. This dilemma asks an important question, what is citizenship?

Citizenship in a country is a privilege and an honour. It is not like handing out coupons for a hamburger, some fries and a soft drink. Yet, that seems to be the attitude of our prime minister. He denigrates our value system as if it is not important, and then he regularly scolds and lectures us for not buying into his agenda.

Maxime Bernier and Kellie Leitch have raised this whole issue of immigration. Their presentations have been lacking and incomplete, and the responses were swift and harsh from their opposition, the national media and even their own party.

Yet, it is an important, timely issue. An increasing number of Canadians are concerned that our immigration system is off the rails. Will our elected officials, including our local representative, provide the leadership to bring back common sense to this public policy?

Larry Samcoe

Medicine Hat

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